Motor-controlling device for taxicabs and the like.



W. L. MAJORS.

MOTOR CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR TAXIGABS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1913.

1,123,906, Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

THE NORRIS PETERS C11. PHOTO-LI'THO, WASHINGTON D. c.

W. L. MAJORS.

MOTOR CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR TAXIOABS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1913.

Patented Jan 5, 1915 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

571 43 1 45 is 3W:

HE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHOTQJJTHA. WASHINGTON. n, r

illlltitllii) STATES PATENT VI'ALTER L. I/LAJORS, 0.15 ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ANNIE 1 E. TURNBO, OE ST. LOUIS, IVEISSOUE-I.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jar 5, 1215.

Original application filed April 1, 1912, Serial No. 687,830. Divided and this application filed June 30, 1913.

Serial No.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, VALTER L. MAJoRs, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lvlotor-Controlling Devices for laxicabs and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This application is a division and continuation of the application filed by me April 1, 1912, Serial No. 687,830.

The present invention relates to control ling devices for taxicabs and the like, and has for its primary object to provide an improved device for automatically controlling the motor of the car.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved n1otor-controlling device for taxicabs and the like hat is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the register, which constitutes the subject-matter of the United States Letters Patent No. 676,519, granted to C. H. Veeder, June 18, 1901.

Further, the present invention consists of the novel features of construction and ar rtngement of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, in which like numbers of reference denote like parts whereever hey occur, Figure 1 is a diagrammatical view of the device and the wiring therefor; and 2 is a diagrammatical view of an alternate form of wiring.

The motor-controlling device embodying the present invention is particularly adapted for use in cOn unction with the coin-controlled mechanism, which constitutes the subject-matter of my above-mentioned application, Serial No. 687,830, and the parts of the coin-controlled mechanism that are depicted in the drawings to show their connection with the motor-controlling device include the plates 1 and 2, which form the side walls of the coinchute 3, and the coinswitch adapted to be operated to switch one coin at a time from the coin-chute 3 into the coin-chute 5, which is formed by an extension 6 of the plate 2 and the arm. 7 of a bell-crank plate 8, the latter being pivoted at 9 and having a spring 10 attached to its other arm 11 to hold the arm 11 normally in engagement with a metallic stop 12,

whereby the arm 7 stands normally in an inclined position relative to the extension 6, so that said arm 7 and said extension converge downwardly. By this arrangement, when a coin 13 is switched from the chute it into the chute 5 in the manner described in my said application, the coin will be caught between the extension 6 and the arm 7 and will be held in said chute 5 by the pull of the spring 10 upon the crank-plate 8. The coin 13 remains in the chute 5 until the crank-plate 8 is rocked in the manner hereinafter described, so as to move the lower end of the arm 7 away from the extension 6, thereby releasing the coin and allowing same to drop out of the chute 5, whereupon the pull of spring 10 returns the crank-plate S to its normal position.

When a coin 13 falls from the switch t into the chute 5 and engages the arm 7 of the plate 8, it moves said arm slightly toward the left, Fig. 1, and thereby rocks said plate 8 sufficiently to move the arm 11 out of engagement with the stop 12 for the purpose hereinafter described, such movement of said arm 7, however, being not suilicient to allow the coin to drop out of the chute 5.

The arm 7 of the plate 8 is connected to the clapper 1% of an electric bell 15 by a cord 16 or other suitable means, and, when the circuit of said bell 15 is closed as hereinafter described, the clapper 1d vibrates and thereby rocks the plate 8 sufficiently to allow the coin 13 to pass from between arm 7 and extension 6.

The bell 15 is connected in series with an incandescent lamp 17 to an electric battery 18 by means of a wire 19, which leads from one terminal of said battery to one of the binding posts 20 of said bell.

A wire 21 leads from the other binding post 20 of the bell 15 to a binding post 22, which has a ground connection with the frame of the taxicab (not shown in the drawings) by means of a wire 23.

A wire 24 leads from the other terminal of the battery 18 to one of the poles 25 of a doublepole switch 26, and from the other pole of said switch a wire 27 leads to a metal stop 28, which is secured to a block 29 of insulating material, said block being preferably secured to the casing of a register 30 by any suitable means. Said register 30 may be of the type of register, which constitutes the subject-matter of the abovementioned patent, or of any other suitable type, and may be secured to and operatively connected with a magnetic tachometer 31 in the usual manner, which tachometer may be of the type illustrated and described in United States Letters Patent No. 745A63, granted to A. P. and C. H. \Varner, December 1, 1903.

An opening is formed in one side of the cap A of the register 30, as clearly shown in the drawings, in order to allow a projection 32 borne by lever 33 to engage the periphery of the first or right-hand index ring H of said register, said lever being preferably in the form of a bell-crank which is pivoted at 3% to the casing of said register and havin a spring 35 attached thereto for the purpose of holding the projection 33 on said lever in engagement with said ring H. The ring H is preferably adapted to make one complete revolution for each mile that the taxicab travels, and has a notch 36 formed in its periphery, in order to allow the projection 32 on lever 33 to enter same, when said ring H has been rotated sufficiently to move said notch into registrat on with said projection. While the projection 32 borne by lever 33 rides upon the periphery of ring H, the arm 37 of said lever is thereby held out of engagement with the metal post 28, thus breaking the battery circuit.

The register 30 and tachometer 31 have a ground connection with the frame of the taxicab and, when the ring H is rotated sulficiently to bring the notch 36 into registration with the projection 32 on lever 33, the pull of spring 35 causes said projection to enter said notch and thereby moves the arm 37 of said lever into engagement with the metal post 28, thereby closing the battery circuit, with the result of causing the lamp 17 to light and the bell 15 to ring. The closing of the battery circuit as just described causes the clapper 1% to vibrate and thereby not only' causes same to ring the bell, but, also, rocks the plate 8 clockwise, Fig. 1, whereby the arm 7 of said plate 8 releases the coin 13 in chute 5, whereupon said coin drops into the receptacle (not shown).

The battery circuit remains closed as long as the arm 37 of lever 33 engages the metal post 28, and, in order that this shall be for a relatively short time, the notch 36 in ring H is formed relatively .shallow and said notch and projection 32 are preferably V- shaped. The bell 15 rings and the lamp 17 burns as long as the arm 37 of lever 33 engages the metal post 28 (it being, of course, understood that the switch 26 is closed), but, when the taxicab has run sufficient to cause further rotation of ring H, said ring forces the projection 32 out of notch 36 and thereby moves the arm 37 of said lever out of engagement with said post, thus breaking the battery circuit, with the result that not only the bell 15 stops ringing and the lamp 117 ceases to burn until the battery circuit is again closed, but, also, that the engine (not shown) is caused to stop running in the manner hereinafter described, making it necessary for another coin 13 to be deposited in the chute 5, as hereinabove described.

A wire 38 leads from a magneto 39 to one of the poles 40 of the switch 26 and from the other pole 4:0 of said switch a wire 11 leads to the metallic stop 12, said magneto being preferably of the Bosch high tension type and having the usual ground connection with the frame of the taxicab.

A wire 42 leads from the pivot 9 of the plate 8 to the binding post 22 and thereby completes the magneto circuit for the reason that the wire 23, which leads from said binding post, has a ground connection with the frame of the taxicab. The wire 23 thus affords a ground connection for the battery circuit and, also, for the magneto circuit.

The magneto 39 has the usual connection with the cylinders of the engine, and as the former is preferably of the Bosch high tension type, it is necessary for the circuit to be broken, in order to allow the engine to run.

The breaking of the magneto circuit may be accomplished either by opening the switch 26 or by allowing a coin 13 to fall into the chute 5, as hereinabove described.

If the stopping of the taxicab is to be controlled by the battery circuit, the switch is closed. When the coin-switch a is operated to allow a coin 13 to fall into chute 5, said coin rocks the plate 8 suthciently to move the arm 11 of said plate out of engagement with the metal stop 12, thereby breaking the magneto circuit. The magneto circuit remains broken as long as the coin 13 is held in chute 5, but when the battery cir cuit is closed in the manner hereinabove de scribed, the vibration of the clapper 1.4 of the bell 15 rocks the plate 8, which, in turn, releases the coin 13 in said chute and allows said coin to drop out of said chute, whereupon the spring 10 returns the plate 8 to its initial position with the arm 11 in engagement with the metal stop 12, so as tdclose the magneto circuit. It should be understood that, while the bell 15 is ringing, the pull of spring 10 and the vibration of clapper 14: cause the arm 11 of plate 8 to move into and out ofengagement with the metal stop 12, thereby closing and opening the magneto circuit intermittently. This intermittent closing of the magneto circuit, however, does not stop the engine, but the latter continues to run until the battery circuit is broken by the arm 37 of lever 33 being moved out of engagement with the metal post 28 as hereinabove described, whereupon the clapper ceases to vibrate and the spring 10 holds the arm 11 of plate 8 in engagement with the metal stop 12, thereby closing the magneto circuit, with the result of stopping the engine. Then the switch 26 is opened, same breaks the magneto and battery circuits and thereby allows the engine of the taxicab to run as long as may be desired.

In the alternate form of the invention depicted in Fig. 2, a diagrammatical view of the wiring for same is depicted, when the device is used on a taxicab having a primary spark circuit from a battery or other suitable source. In this form, a wire -3 leads from one terminal of the battery 18 to a spark coil 4-1- and from said spark coil a wire leads to the timer 16, the latter having the usual connection with the engine cylinders (not shown), and a wire -17 that leads from the other terminal. of said battery has a ground connection with the frame of the taxicab. A wire 18 leads from the timer 46 to the extension 6 of plate 2 and is connected to one of the poles 49 of a double pole switch by means of a wire 51.

A wire 52, which leads from the other pole 4-9 of switch 50, has a ground connection with the frame of the car in order to complete the battery circuit when the switch 50 is turned to connect the poles 4-9.

A wire 54 leads from one of the poles of switch 50 to the metal post 28, and the wire 19 leads from the other pole 55 of said switch and connects the lamp 17 in series with the bell 15, a wire 21 leading from the latter to the binding post 22 and a wire as leading from said binding post 22 to the pivot 9 of the plate 8. The wire 23 leads from the binding post 22 to the metal post 56 that is secured to the block 29. The metal posts 28 and 56 are spaced apart, so as to allow the arm 37 of lever 33 to extend therebetween, and, when the projecticn 32 on lever 33 rides on the periphery of ring H, the arm 37 engages the metal post 56, but when the projection 32 on said lever enters notch 36 in said ring, the arm 37 mores out of engagement with the metal post 56 and into engagement with post 28.

The register 30 and the tachometer 31 have a ground connection with the frame of the taxicab, and, when the switch 50 is turned so as to connect the poles 55 and a coin 13 is deposited into chute 5 as hereinabove described, said coin closes the circuit. and the current passes through the wires 23 and 42 if the arm 37 of lever 33 engages the metal post 56, or through the wires 42, 21, 19, switch 50, and wire 54 if said arm engages the metal post 28.

By this arrangement, when a coin 13 is held in the chute 5 and the projection 32 on lever 33 rides on the periphery of ring H,

the arm 37 of said lever engages the metal post 56 and thereby closes the circuit through the wires 23 and 12 and breaks the lamp and bell circuit, but, when tue ring H has rotated sufficiently to move the notch 36 into registration with the projection 32 on lever 33, the spring 35 causes said projection to enter said notch and thereby moves the arm 37 of said lever out of engagement with the metal post 56 and into engagement with the metal post 28, with the result of breaking the circuit through the wire 23 and closing the circuit of the lamp and bell, whereby the lamp burns and the bell rings. The ringing of the bell 15 rocks the plate 8, as hereinabove described, and thereby releases the coin 13 in chute 5, whereupon said coin drops out of said chute, thus breaking the circuit, which results in stopping the engine.

In order to run farther, it is necessary to deposit another coin in the chute 5, so as to close the circuit as hereinabove described, or the circuit may be closed by turning switch 50 so that same connects the poles 19, in which event the current passes only through wire 43, coil 41, wire d5, timer 16, wires 48 and 51, switch 50, and wires 52 and -17 to the frame of the car, said frame completing the circuit.

The operation of the device will be largely evident from the above description, but may be summarized as follows: Upon entering the taxicab the passenger deposits the proper coin 13 in the chute 3 and the chauffeur rotates the coin-switch 4 so as to cause one coin to drop into the chute 5. After the taxicab has run the distance necessary to cause the right-hand index ring H of the totalizing-register of the register 30 to rotate sutliciently to move the notch 36 in said ring into registration with the projection 32 on lever 33, the spring causes said projection 32 to enter said notch and thereby moves the arm 37 of said lever into engagement with the metal post 28, thereby closing the lamp and bell circuit, ith the result of causing the lamp 17 to burn and the bell 15 to ring. The ringing of the bell 15 releases the coin 13 in chute 5, whereupon said coin drops out of said chute, with the result of. stopping the engine. In order to ride farther, it is necessary for the passenger to deposit another coin in the -hute 3, after which the chauifenr rotates the switch to deposit said coin in the chute 5, thereby allowing the taxicab to run the distance necessary to cause the right-hand index ring H of the register 30 to rotate through another complete revolution. The trip-register of the register 30 affords a means by which the chauffeur can keep a check on the length of each trip in the usual manner, and if it happens upon starting a trip that a coin 13 is deposited in chute 5 while the notch 36 is in such position that the ring H will make only part of a complete revolution before the lamp and bell circuit is closed to release the coin 18 in chute 5, thereby to stop the en gine, the chauffeur can break the lamp and bell circuit in the manner hereinabove described, in order to run the taxicab until the trip-register indicates the distance the passenger is entitled to ride for the payment of said coin.

By means of this device, it is necessary for the passenger to pay in advance for each mile or fraction thereof, thus obviating the trouble and expense occasioned sometimes, when the chaufieur endeavors to collect at the end of a trip, and, also, preventing the loss of a fare.

It should be understood that While the ring H contains only one notch as hereinabove described and illustrated in the drawings, so that the lamp and bell circuit is closed at the completion of each mile run, yet, if desired, said ring may be provided with more than one notch in order to close the lamp and bell circuit at the completion of predetermined fractions of a mile.

Various other modifications in details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made Without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I do not desire to limit my invention to the precise construction shovvn except as may be pointed out in the claims.

I claim:

1. A motor-controlling device for a taxicab or the like comprising an electric signaling device and means controlled by same for stopping the engine of the taxicab after the latter has traveled a predetermined distance.

2. A motor-controlling device for a taxicab or the like comprising an electric signaling device, means controlled by said signaling device for stopping the engine of the taxicab after the latter has traveled apre determined distance, and means for automatically controlling said signaling device.

3. A motor-controlling device for a taxi cab or the like comprising the combination with distance-registering means carried by the taxicab, of an electric signaling device, means controlled by said signaling device for stopping the engine of the taxicab, and means operative by the registering means for controlling said signaling device.

i. A. motor-controlling device for a taxicab or the like comprising the combination with a distanceregistering device operative thereby, of a signal, an electric circuit controlling said signal, means controlled by the registering device for opening and closing said circuit, and means con rolled by said signal for stop Jing the engine of the taxicab.

5. A motor-controlling device for a taxicab or the like comprising the combination with a distance-registering device operative thereby, of an electric signaling device, an electric circuit controlling same, means controlled by said signaling device for stopping the engine of the taxicab, and means controlled by the registering dcvice for opening and closing said circuit including an insulated contact-point in electric connection with said signaling device, and a contactmember operative by one of the index rings of the registering device for engaging and disengaging said contact-point.

6. A motor-controlling device for a taxicab or the like comprising the combination With a distance-registering device operative thereby, of an electric signaling device, an electric circuit therefor, means controlled by said signaling device for stopping the engine of the taxicab, and means for opening and closing said circuit including an insulated contact-point in electric connection with said signaling device, a contact-member movable into and out of engagement with said contact-point, one of the index rings of the registering device being adapted to hold said contact-member out of engagement with said contact-point While same makes substantially a complete revolution, and a spring adapted to move said contactpoint.

7 A motor-controlling device for a taxicab or the like comprising the combination with a distance-registering device operative thereby, of an electric signaling device, an electric circuit therefor, means controlled by said signaling device for stopping the engine of the taxicab, and means for opening and closing said circuit including an insulated contact-point in electric connection with said signaling device, a contact-member movable into and out of engagement ivith said contact-point, ,one of the index rings of said registering device having a notch in its periphery, a spring adapted to hold said contact-member in engagement with said index ring, and a projection borne by said contact-member adapted to enter the notch in said index ring to the completion of each revolution of the latter, thereby to close said circuit.

8. A motor-controlling device for a taxicab or the like comprising the combination with a distance-registering device operative thereby, of an electric signaling device, an electric circuit therefor, means controlled by said signaling device for stopping the engine or the taxicab, means controlled by one of the index rings of" the registering device for opening and closing the signal circuit, and a switch controlling said circuit.

9. In a motor controlling device for a taxicab or the like, a signal means governed by the taxicab movements for eilecting op eration of the signal and simultaneous automatic stoppage oi the taxicab engine upon completion of travel of the taxicab for a the signaling means for efiecting stoppage predetermined distance. of the taxicab engine. 1O

10. A motorcontr0lling device for a taXi In testimony whereof I hereunto afiiX my cab or the like including distance registering signature in the presence of two Witnesses. 5 means actuated thereby, electric signaling WVALTER L. MAJORS. means, a switch located in the signaling means circuit and controlled by the distance registering means, and means operative by Witnesses GEORGE G. Annnz-zson, WALTER C. Guam.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commis ioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

